From The Sydney Morning Herald
Sydney, New South Wales
25 March 1909

YOUNG WOMAN’S DEATH
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SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES
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   Ester Gilliland, aged 24, died suddenly yesterday at the residence of Oscar Magnusson, in Thompson-street, Darlinghurst, where she had been lodging since March 13. The people at the house informed the police, and the body was removed to the Morgue. The circumstances surrounding the case are such as to lead the police to make investigations, but, apart from the fact that deceased had been following the occupation of a waitress, they have not yet obtained any information.

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From The Sydney Morning Herald
Sydney, New South Wales
8 April 1909

A WOMAN’S DEATH
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   The city Coroner, Mr. Stephen Murphy, commenced an inquest yesterday regarding the death of Ester Gillilan, a waitress, aged 24, who died at No. 8 Thompson-street, Darlinghurst, on March 24. George Longson, a chemist, who has been charged with causing the death of the deceased, was present in court. The evidence of a medical practitioner was that deceased had died from septicemia or peritonitis. The day was occupied with the evidence of seven witnesses, and the inquest was then adjourned for a week.

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From The Sydney Morning Herald
Sydney, New South Wales
16 April 1909

DEATH FROM PERITONITIS
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CHEMIST COMMITTED FOR TRIAL

   Mr. Stephen Murphy, City Coroner, concluded an inquest regarding the death of Esther Gilliland, a waitress, aged 24, who died at No. 8 Thompson-street, Darlinghurst, on March 24 last. The coroner found that death was due to peritonitis, as the result of an illegal operation, performed by George Darling Longson, a chemist. He committed Longson to take his trial at the Central Criminal Court on May 31 on a charge of murder.

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From The Argus
Melbourne, Victoria
19 June 1909

ILLEGAL OPERATION
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FIFTEEN YEARS’ PENAL 
SERVITUDE.

   SYDNEY, Friday. -- George Darling Longson, charged at the Criminal Court with the murder of Esther Gilliland, was found guilty of manslaughter.
   The case for the Crown was that Gilliland, a woman of 24 years of age, consulted Longson, who took her to a house as his wife, and performed an operation, which caused her death some days later. Longson disappeared, and when arrested later on said, “Oh, they will not be able to fix it on me. I have performed hundreds of these operations, and they have always been successful.”
   Acting Justice Murray told the jury that a verdict of murder could not be brought in, and after 10 minutes’ deliberation they convicted Longson of manslaughter.
   He was sentenced to 15 years’ penal servitude.

-- transcriptions by Kate Maynard, 2010